Medium riskText Message

Betting Bonus Text Scam

This scam texts a free bet, casino bonus, or 'winnings' to claim, linking to a fake page that collects your card, ID, and account details, or signs you up to charges.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Gambling lure phishing (smishing)
Main red flag
A text offering a free bet, bonus, or winnings you must claim through a link.
What to do first
Do not click. Claim genuine promotions only inside the betting operator's official app.

What this scam usually looks like

This scam texts a free bet, casino bonus, or 'winnings' to claim, linking to a fake page that collects your card, ID, and account details, or signs you up to charges.

Text-message scams, known as "smishing", reach you directly on your phone where a link is only a tap away and messages feel personal and urgent. They impersonate trusted senders, banks, couriers, government, or even people you know, and depend on you acting before you pause to verify.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A text offering a free bet, bonus, or winnings you must claim through a link. Do not click. Claim genuine promotions only inside the betting operator's official app.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Lottery Winner Scam or the Betting Tipster Scam, browse the Text Message Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

$330M
reported lost to text-message scams in the US in 2022, more than double the year before
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
#1
fake bank fraud alerts were the most-reported text scam type in 2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'You've won a $50 free bet! Claim your bonus now before it expires: [suspicious link]'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Why this is a red flag: A text offering a free bet, bonus, or winnings you must claim through a link.

Red flags to watch for

  • A free bet, bonus, or winnings from an unexpected text
  • A link to claim that asks for card or ID details
  • Urgency that the offer will expire
  • A sender that is not your actual betting operator
  • Requests for account login or payment

What to do

  • Claim genuine promotions only in the operator's official app or website
  • Verify any offer by logging in to your real account
  • Be wary of offers if you do not gamble or hold an account
  • Report and delete the text

If you already clicked or replied

  • Do not enter card, ID, or login details
  • If you shared details, contact your bank and secure your account
  • Watch for unexpected charges or new subscriptions
  • Change any password you entered

What not to do

  • Do not claim bonuses through text links
  • Do not share card or ID details to claim a bet
  • Do not assume a win is real because it states an amount

Similar scams

Medium risk Text Message

Lottery Winner Scam

This scam tells you that you have won a lottery or prize draw you never entered, then asks for an upfront fee, tax payment, or personal details to release the supposed winnings.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Online Shopping

Betting Tipster Scam

In this scam, a tipster sells access to 'guaranteed' or 'inside' betting or trading tips for a fee or subscription, using faked results and testimonials, while most subscribers lose money.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Online Shopping

Online Casino Scam

In this scam, an unlicensed online casino lures players with big bonuses, lets them 'win' on screen, then blocks withdrawals behind endless verification, fees, or wagering rules, keeping their deposits.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

Do betting operators text bonus links?
Genuine promotions appear in the operator's official app or account, not unexpected texts with claim links asking for card or ID details. Verify in the app.
I don't even gamble. Why the text?
These are sent in bulk to many numbers. A bonus for an account you do not have is a clear warning sign.
I entered my details. What now?
Contact your bank, secure your account, change any password you entered, and watch for unexpected charges or subscriptions.
How do I claim real promotions?
Log in to the betting operator's official app or website and claim any genuine offer there, not via a text link.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.